Businessman to reopen Cape Breton watering hole

Danny Ellis, who has owned several Sydney bars and pubs, is planning to open an Irish pub in the space that used to be occupied by Smooth Herman’s. Smooth Herman’s and adjoining restaurant Joe’s Warehouse closed in March 2010. (STAFF / File)

Cape Breton entrepreneur Danny Ellis is taking over a former Sydney entertainment institution.

Ellis, who has owned several Sydney bars and pubs, is planning to reopen the nightclub formerly known as Smooth Herman’s that closed its doors in March 2010. A downturn in the economy and the out-migration of Cape Breton’s young people were cited as reasons for the closure.

The adjoining restauraunt, Joe’s Warehouse, shut down at the same time.

“The ink’s not dry on the paper yet,” Ellis said Monday of his new venue.

“It’s going to be an Irish pub upstairs, and it’s going to be an entertainment venue downstairs of some sort. We’re just working on the breakdown of what it’s going to be.”

A lease-to-purchase agreement for 424 Charlotte St. shows a numbered Nova Scotia company headed by Ellis has the option to buy the venue from Martin Chernin, president of Joe’s Warehouse Ltd., before the end of December 2017.

The former Canadian Tire store was turned into a nightclub and restaurant in 1980. Chernin was parters in the business with Joe Salter, Hugh Tweedie and Alan Henderson.

Ellis said Monday he would likely have more details in the coming weeks about plans for the 22,000-square-foot building.

The city doesn’t have a watering hole “of any magnitude,” now, he said.

“I think Sydney’s ready.”

Ellis wouldn’t say what he is paying for the venue.

“Our deal is done with the former owners, but the whole concept and the other players that are involved in this haven’t been lined up yet. We’re just in the middle of negotiating that now, with the food-service guys and the entertainment partners.”

The establishment doesn’t have an opening date or a liquor licence because the Smooth Herman’s licence expired a year after it closed, he said.